Nearly 1.5 tons of cocaine were already wrapped and "ready for export" to Central America. From there, the drugs could be smuggled into the U.S., Colombian Defense Minister Luis Carlos Villegas said on Sunday.

"Operation in Turbo seized the greatest amount of drugs in our history," he posted on Sunday. "A crushing blow to the criminals."

According to the Daily Telegraph, the "Usuga Clan" emerged following the demobilization of right-wing paramilitaries in the early 2000s. With more than 2,000 active members, the gang is believed to be responsible for shipping hundreds of tons of cocaine annually.